Blue White Illustrated

A pologies to Fred Lewis Pattee, but there's a certain, shall we say, solemnity to Penn State's alma mater that makes the team sing-along at the end of every Nittany Lion football game, no matter how well-intentioned, seem at times a bit obligatory. After vic- tories, and especially after defeats, you get the feeling that some players would rather just head into the locker room and let the celebration (or commiseration) begin. And then there's Carl Nassib. After Penn State's victory over Buffalo in its home opener, as his teammates mumbled and swayed, Nassib gave the song a thrash-metal makeover, complete with fist pumps, chest thumps, shadow boxing, contortions, a little shouting and possibly some lyrical improvisation. "I was excited," Nassib admitted after- ward. "I love the alma mater and I love when our fans are into it. It's awesome, it's my senior year, and I only have a few of those left, so it was pretty exciting." These are exciting times for the former walk-on from West Chester, Pa. Nassib had never started a game at Penn State before this season, nor had he ever started one at his high school, Malvern Prep. But he was the breakout defensive player in the first two weeks of the season, leading the Nittany Lions in tackles against Temple and Buffalo – a rarity for a defensive end. Included in his 15 stops were four sacks, 5.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and an interception, all team-highs. The secret to Nassib's success during Penn State's nonconference season is really no secret at all. It was there for all to see in his performance of the alma mater. Known to his teammates as Crazy Carl, he brings a gonzo intensity to everything he does, from singing to studying – he's a two-time Academic All-Big Ten player majoring in biology – to football. "He's just an interesting character," de- fensive tackle Austin Johnson said. "He's loud, energetic, and will let you know what's on his mind, what he's thinking. He's very much like the rest of us when we're around each other. He's just not the same outside the locker room when he's around people he doesn't really know. He's a little different when he's around family." That phrase – a little different – is also applicable to Nassib's rise to prominence. His story has been told frequently since he emerged in the off-season as a likely starter, but coach James Franklin never tires of telling it: how Nassib built himself into a bulky, pocket-crushing defensive lineman after arriving at Penn State as a gangly 215-pounder, how he played his way onto a depth chart bursting with three- and four-star prospects, how he became a standout player through sheer force of will. "Typically guys put on 25 pounds. Typ- ically they are able to get stronger and P E N N S T A T E F O O T B A L L > > 25 Nittany Lions on NFL rosters to begin season Twenty-five Penn State players were on the rosters of 19 National Football League teams for NFL Kickoff Week, second-most among Big Ten schools. In addition to the 25 players on 53-man rosters, the Lions have three former players on practice squads. Of the 40 National Football Foundation (NFF) Scholar-Athletes to make NFL ros- ters, Penn State had three to lead all teams. The Nittany Lion NFF Scholar-Athletes in the NFL are: Paul Posluszny (Jack- sonville), John Urschel (Baltimore) and Stefen Wisniewski (Jacksonville). A pair of Lions have been selected as team captains in Posluszny (Jacksonville) and Robbie Gould (Chicago). Gould recently kicked his 244th field goal with the Bears to set a franchise record. LIVING LARGE Imposing DE Carl Nassib is enjoying an epic final season at PSU | PENN STATERS IN THE NFL TEAM PLAYER Arizona A.Q. Shipley Atlanta Nate Stupar Baltimore John Urschel Chicago Adrian Amos, Robbie Gould Dallas Jack Crawford, Sean Lee Denver Jordan Norwood Green Bay Andrew Quarless Jacksonville Jared Odrick, Paul Posluszny, Allen Robinson, Stefen Wisniewski Kansas City Tamba Hali Miami Cameron Wake Minnesota Gerald Hodges New Orleans Michael Mauti Oakland Matt McGloin Pittsburgh Jesse James San Diego Johnnie Troutman San Francisco Navorro Bowman Seattle Garry Gilliam, Jordan Hill Tampa Bay Donovan Smith Tennessee DaQuan Jones PRACTICE SQUAD Miami Mike Hull New York Giants Brad Bars New York Jets Deion Barnes Kansas City Ross Travis * * Played basketball at Penn State

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